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Topic: how to install on TP-Link Archer C7 V2? Which firmware? So confused...

The content of this topic has been archived on 11 Apr 2018. There are no obvious gaps in this topic, but there may still be some posts missing at the end.

Post #1
imthenachoman
26 Apr 2017, 05:28

I just bought a TP-Link Archer C7 because I thought OpenWRT worked with it. I went to the help page (https://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/ar … c7-wdr7500) to try to install it but now I am so confused. With my previous router I was able to use the firmware update page from the stock firmware but it doesn't look like I can do that with this router.

I have the Archer C7 (US) version 2.0
My serial # starts with 216A.

Is there some simple instructions I can follow to get OpenWRT on the router?

And I assume everything will work fine with OpenWRT on this router? Or is there another firmware (like LEDE) I should be using instead?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Post #2
kishan017
1 May 2017, 10:03

US version of TP-Link are shipped with locked firmware.

You need to follow little work around to flash OpenWRT in it.
1) Flash US version DD-WRT firmware (Could be found in DD-WRT website)
2) Revert back to older tp-link firmware from DD-WRT by flashing another image(You need to download  ArcherC7v2_webrevert.rar from DD-WRT website or some everbest ftpserver link, I could not post link here)
3) Flash trunk OpenWRT firmware if your serial number of router is not prior to 215C

Let me know if any issues found. I just flashed 20+ routers in a while.

Post #3
mk24
1 May 2017, 10:10

The LEDE release supports the new flash chip, so that is what I would use.  If you run a trunk build there can be problems installing packages later because the version is not stable.

Post #4
kishan017
1 May 2017, 10:20
kishan017 wrote:

US version of TP-Link are shipped with locked firmware.

You need to follow little work around to flash OpenWRT in it.
1) Flash US version DD-WRT firmware (Could be found in DD-WRT website)
2) Revert back to older tp-link firmware from DD-WRT by flashing another image(You need to download  ArcherC7v2_webrevert.rar from DD-WRT website or some everbest ftpserver link, I could not post link here)
3) Flash trunk OpenWRT firmware if your serial number of router is not prior to 215C

Let me know if any issues found. I just flashed 20+ routers in a while.

You can proceed with above sequence with modification in 3rd step.
You have options in last step:
1) Flash trunk image (supports new flash chip)
2) Build new image on 15.05.1 and that firmware will have support of new chip
3) Under section "Quick Start Guide" in wiki page of this device you will find this:
" If you want to install 15.05.1 with support for the new gd25q128 flash chip you can download this factory or sysupgrade image, then manually install the ath10k firmware and kernel module."
You can also use this firmware.(green text will be link on that page)

Post #5
imthenachoman
1 May 2017, 13:16
kishan017 wrote:

US version of TP-Link are shipped with locked firmware.

You need to follow little work around to flash OpenWRT in it.
1) Flash US version DD-WRT firmware (Could be found in DD-WRT website)
2) Revert back to older tp-link firmware from DD-WRT by flashing another image(You need to download  ArcherC7v2_webrevert.rar from DD-WRT website or some everbest ftpserver link, I could not post link here)
3) Flash trunk OpenWRT firmware if your serial number of router is not prior to 215C

Let me know if any issues found. I just flashed 20+ routers in a while.

Have you seen any performance issues with OpenWRT on the Archer C7? Especially wireless performance?

Post #6
imthenachoman
1 May 2017, 13:18
mk24 wrote:

The LEDE release supports the new flash chip, so that is what I would use.  If you run a trunk build there can be problems installing packages later because the version is not stable.

Thanks. Do you know of any performance issues with LEDE on the Archer C7?

Post #7
imthenachoman
1 May 2017, 13:20
kishan017 wrote:

then manually install the ath10k firmware and kernel module

How do I manually install the firmware and kernel module?

And is one approach better than the other?

Post #8
kishan017
1 May 2017, 13:22
imthenachoman wrote:
kishan017 wrote:

US version of TP-Link are shipped with locked firmware.

You need to follow little work around to flash OpenWRT in it.
1) Flash US version DD-WRT firmware (Could be found in DD-WRT website)
2) Revert back to older tp-link firmware from DD-WRT by flashing another image(You need to download  ArcherC7v2_webrevert.rar from DD-WRT website or some everbest ftpserver link, I could not post link here)
3) Flash trunk OpenWRT firmware if your serial number of router is not prior to 215C

Let me know if any issues found. I just flashed 20+ routers in a while.

Have you seen any performance issues with OpenWRT on the Archer C7? Especially wireless performance?

I haven't measured any performance related params.

Post #9
kishan017
1 May 2017, 13:24
imthenachoman wrote:
kishan017 wrote:

then manually install the ath10k firmware and kernel module

How do I manually install the firmware and kernel module?

And is one approach better than the other?

You can find packages related to this on download site of openwrt.
There is no issues with this approach.

Post #10
imthenachoman
1 May 2017, 13:31
kishan017 wrote:
imthenachoman wrote:
kishan017 wrote:

then manually install the ath10k firmware and kernel module

How do I manually install the firmware and kernel module?

And is one approach better than the other?

You can find packages related to this on download site of openwrt.
There is no issues with this approach.

I saw the download links but couldn't figure out how to actually install them. But if each option is the same end-result then I think I'll just go the first route as that seems to be the easiest.Thanks!

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